The Paris Traveler

 
 Each month, our Travel Channel at b5media puts together posts that have a common theme based on what our editor, Mary Jo over at The Seattle Traveler and Fly Away Cafe comes up with.  I have been remiss in pointing this out to you readers and shame on me. So today I am going to link you to all the bloggers who participated in this month’s theme which was “T” for travel.  Enjoy your little trip around the world!

At Europe String, Jul brings us lots of “T’s” with her list of favorite European destinations that start with the letter T.
At Filipina Soul, Grace celebrates her second year biogging …read more

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 Several weeks ago, I was solicited by a PR firm, Terpin Communications to submit a blog entry based on my idea of what, “The Spirit of Exploration” meant to me.  The company that approached me had seen The Paris Traveler, liked it and wanted me to participate.  In the middle of graduations and parties I put something together, which I was happy with and guess what?  They liked it as well and it has been posted on their blog.  

What I need from you all is this.  Go here.  Read all the posts and if you really like mine, please vote for it as …read more

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As crazy as this sounds, the Bibliothèque Nationale, or National Library, is worth a visit while in Paris.  Maybe not on your first visit while you are trying to get through the basics, but certainly your second or third time over you should try and get there. Don’t think just “library” as there are temporary and permanent exhibits that are certainly museum worthy.  I found these images from their archives which are postcards credited to the artist Villemard that were done circa 1910 depicting what life in Paris would be like in the year 2000.  They are too much fun and …read more

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 I don’t know how many of you that read The Paris Traveler are bloggers or individuals that visit because you have a passion for Paris.  Both are great groups to be a part of–some of you might even be members of both like me!  I read other blogs every day, not because I blog, more because they’re about something I enjoy or someone has an incredible sense of humor which I value and it comes across in their writing or they whisk me away to some wonderful place with beautiful pictures and graphics.  All good reasons to keep coming back …read more

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 I found this picture on a wine blog that I visit and had to post it as this is a fabulous example of what the French refer to as “terroir” which is the hard to translate, somewhat nebulous term used to describe all the physical elements that come together in creating a wine.  Think of it as a “sense of place” that is unique unto itself and will impact the final product.  
Terroir includes climate, soil, drainage, sunlight, macro-climates and topography.  Is the soil sandy, pebbly, chalky or clay-like?  What is the quality of drainage based on the type of …read more

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Happy Sunday reading. 

 The Health Care System I Want Is in France  (abc.go.com)
 Starbucks appoints third managing director for France in four years(timesonline.co.uk)
 A Passion for (and Against) Sarkozy (nytimes.com) 
Letter from Paris (sun-sentinel.com)
Wine Pleasures:  Are They All in Your Head?  (nytimes.com)
Coffee and naps not helping your jet lag? Try starving instead (iht.com)

 
Photo Credit: flickr:  Stuck in Customs 

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I found this video this morning and just had to share.  Patricia and Walter Wells I do believe are my idols as they have done what so many of us only dream of doing–closing shop here in the states and take the daring step of creating a life overseas.  These two have been most successful– Walter, working for the International Herald Tribune and Patricia becoming a wonderful chef, creating cooking schools both in Paris and Provence that are consistently sold out, in addition to publishing several successful cookbooks.   Here’s a glimpse of this very inspiring couple.
 Some additional information:  

 Americans …read more

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 The Paris Traveler finds herself in Las Vegas right now.  Due to some personal circumstances I will be here for the next week.  My posts may be sporadic as this is a mission of family problem solving.  I will do the best I can to say, “Hey” over the next few days. Thanks for understanding. 
Photo credit:  flickr: roadsidepictures 

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 Manefestations, protests, strikes–they are all part of the French culture.  You disagree with a policy or want higher pay, as a collective group you take your cause to the streets, much the same way your ancestors did hundreds of years before you.  It is in your blood, it is your birth right, it is how politics occasionally are shaped here in France.  
I do not profess to be a  political analyst by any stretch of the imagination.  But the strategies used by the French intrigue me.  Manifestations, or strikes, would be announced in the papers and on the news days …read more

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A few steps from Métro Odeon, where you find yourself near a Starbucks, numerous movie theatres and crazy activity involving students from the Sorbonne, is a restaurant that is one of those where no matter what time of day it is, you can stop in and get a meal that is going to make everyone in your party happy–which is an important determinant when you are traveling with a group .  Have been there and done that.
Pub St. Germain is a large (in Paris terms) space that is three floors of funkiness.  The bar area you see here is reminiscent …read more

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